Chicken and turkey are both poultry meats that provide a healthy protein source. This article dives into the main differences and similarities between turkey and chicken and explains their nutritional facts and benefits.
Turkey and chicken are two of the most commonly consumed poultry in the world. While they share some similarities there are distinct differences between turkey and chicken that are important to understand. In this article, we’ll closely examine if turkey is chicken and break down the key differences between these two birds in terms of nutrition taste, appearance, cost, and cooking methods.
Nutrition Profile
While both turkey and chicken are lean sources of protein, there are some notable differences in their nutrition profiles.
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Chicken contains slightly more calories and fat per serving compared to turkey. An 85g serving of roasted chicken breast contains 143 calories and 3.6g of fat, while the same amount of roasted turkey breast has 134 calories and 1.1g of fat.
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Turkey packs more protein per serving than chicken. That 85g roasted turkey breast provides 26g of protein, while chicken supplies 24g.
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Turkey contains more of certain micronutrients like selenium, niacin vitamin B6 and zinc than chicken.
So while chicken and turkey are both healthy options, turkey does edge out chicken slightly when it comes to nutrition.
Taste and Texture
One of the biggest differences between turkey and chicken is in their taste and texture profiles:
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Turkey meat has a richer, fuller flavor compared to chicken. The dark meat from the legs and thighs of a turkey is especially flavorful.
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Turkey tends to be juicier than chicken, remaining moist when cooked.
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The texture of turkey meat is slightly stringier than chicken due to its connective tissue. This stringiness is especially noticeable in the dark meat of drumsticks and thighs.
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Chicken breast meat is extremely mild in flavor and can be dry if overcooked. The legs and thighs have a more pronounced chicken taste.
So for those who enjoy a meatier flavor and texture, turkey is generally preferred over the more delicate taste of chicken. But for those who like milder flavored meat, chicken may be the better choice.
Appearance
Whole turkeys are much larger than chickens. The average turkey weighs between 8 to 24 pounds, while a whole chicken is typically 3 to 5 pounds.
When it comes to individual cuts of meat:
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Turkey breast cuts look quite similar to chicken breasts. They are both pale meats.
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Turkey drumsticks and thighs are darker than chicken due to their higher fat content and the presence of connective tissue.
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Skinless turkey meat has a slightly darker appearance compared to chicken.
So while the whole birds look quite distinct, individual turkey and chicken pieces may appear more similar.
Cost
Pound for pound, turkey is more expensive than chicken. Live turkeys cost roughly $1 per pound, while live chickens cost around $0.80 per pound. At the grocery store, fresh turkey averages $3 to $5 per pound, compared to just $1.50 to $3 per pound for fresh chicken.
The smaller overall size of chickens compared to large turkeys is one factor that makes chicken more affordable. Additionally, chickens reach slaughter weight much quicker than turkeys, which reduces production costs.
So if looking for a budget-friendly poultry option, chicken is generally the better value.
Cooking Differences
While chicken and turkey can be used interchangeably in some recipes, there are some cooking considerations for each:
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Whole turkeys require a longer cooking time than whole chickens due to their larger size. Roasting a whole turkey can take 4 to 5 hours at 325°F, while a whole chicken may only require 1 to 1 1⁄2 hours.
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Turkey needs to be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F to be safely cooked through, while chicken requires just 165°F.
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Given its low fat content, turkey can easily dry out during cooking if overdone. Moist-heat cooking methods like braising work well for turkey.
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White turkey meat is prone to drying out, so brining is recommended before roasting turkey breasts or cutlets. Chicken benefits from brining too.
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Ground turkey can be used in place of ground chicken in recipes, but should be cooked to 165°F since it is more prone to harboring bacteria.
While turkey and chicken share some common characteristics, they differ in terms of their nutrition, flavor, cost, appearance, and cooking requirements. Turkey has a richer flavor, darker meat, higher protein content, and more fat than chicken. Turkey costs more than chicken and needs moist cooking methods to avoid drying out.
So is turkey chicken? The answer is no. Though they are both poultry, turkey differs from chicken in many ways. Understanding the distinct qualities of each can help you decide which bird to use in various recipes and dietary plans. Varying between turkey and chicken provides nutritional diversity and an array of flavors to enjoy.
Calories in white meat
White meat is often preferred for its lower calorie and fat content. Turkey breast (white meat, no skin) has approximately 147 calories per serving, whereas chicken breast (white meat, no skin) contains about 161 calories. This difference might not seem significant, but it can add up over time, especially if you consume poultry regularly.
What cooking methods are healthier for poultry?
Baking and grilling are considered healthier cooking methods for both chicken and turkey. Frying is less healthy due to the added fats and oils.
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Raising turkeys and chickens together on pasture: Does it work?
FAQ
What kind of meat is turkey?
Like chicken, turkey is a relatively low-fat animal protein. This is largely due to its disproportionate amount of lean white meat. Commercial turkeys today are high in protein and low in cholesterol, but whole turkeys often have added preservatives so they can maintain moisture in storage and transportation.
Is a turkey in the chicken family?
The Phasianidae are a family of heavy, ground-living birds, which includes pheasants, partridges, junglefowl, chickens, turkeys, Old World quail, and peafowl. The family includes many of the most popular gamebirds.
Why is turkey not as common as chicken?
Comments Section Turkeys are much harder to grow, so their price per pound of meat is far higher than chicken, and the two are very similar to each other in taste. Thus, chicken is the choice meat for cheaper foods, such as nuggets, while turkey is the preference for more expensive foods, such as deli sandwiches.
Can I eat turkey if I’m allergic to chicken?
During this time, refrain from eating chicken. An allergy elimination test requires you to remove chicken and its byproducts from your diet. Your allergist may also ask you to eliminate eggs, turkey, and squab (pigeon) since they are on the same chicken allergy food list.
What is the difference between a Turkey and a chicken?
Turkey and chicken are complete opposites in almost every way, with the main similarity being that they both have wattles which they use to release heat excess from. The turkey has dark feathers with a featherless head and neck, plus a snood over its head. The chicken has colorful feathers with the male being even more colorful.
Does chicken have more protein than Turkey?
Chicken takes the lead with one gram of protein more than turkey per ounce (28 grams) of meat. However, nutritionally speaking, this difference is negligible. Either choice would be a good protein boost for a meal. The white meat from the wings of both chicken and turkey is nutritionally very similar to breast meat.
Does Turkey have more calories than chicken?
Overall Calories: Turkey has slightly less calories than chicken at 125 per 3 ounces vs. chicken’s 140 calories per 3 ounces. It’s worth noting that the location of meat will affect calories in both birds. For example, d ark chicken meat has about 20% higher calories than white chicken meat.
Is turkey breast healthier than chicken breast?
Both turkey and chicken can be part of a healthy diet, but the healthier option depends on various factors, including the cut of meat, cooking method, and added ingredients. In general, turkey breast is considered a leaner protein source than chicken breast, with fewer calories and less fat.
Are turkeys a form of poultry?
A lot of the confusion likely stems from the fact that both turkeys and chickens are a form of poultry. What is poultry you ask? Poultry is the word describing a series of domesticated birds that are kept by humans for their meat, eggs, and/or feathers.
Are turkey & chicken healthy?
Overconsumption of saturated fats (more than 7% of your total calories) can increase the risk of heart disease. So, consuming low-saturated fat options like chicken and turkey can be a heart-healthy option. Turkey has a higher micronutrient content than chicken. The following table compares the vitamins and minerals found in turkey and chicken.